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y J.T. Paz

The history of ZIT began in the Stone Age...1971 to be exact. Rebel drummers from a far away galaxy were battling evil band directors from the Dark Side of the Force, or something like that. But more accurately, those same rebel drummers decided that it would be "gnarly" to form a brother/sisterhood within the drum line in order to uphold the virtues of loud drumming, fast tempos, and overall balls-out percussive domination of the marching field.

The effects (or side effects) of this convergence of drummers were immediately felt. The disco age would soon fall to the godlike thundering of Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath, and ZIT, just to name a few. With long flowing manes and cuffed jeans, ZIT roared into the 1980's proving once again that a rockin' drum line could cure even the squarest band. Throughout the 80's, a time when all music began to suck, ZIT became the sole holder of tasteful drumming. ZIT boasted many awesome drummers among its ranks including many modern day legends (of ZIT).

Through the late 80's and early 90's, ZIT continued its domination. With the invention of the "televised bowl game," ZIT's intense field performance and chaotic presence in the stands would soon be noticed across the nation. An influx of young, raw, talented drummers would soon flock the auditions, humbly hoping to enter the ranks of the glorious ZIT.

The early 90's would prove to be the most electrifying period in ZIT's history. A certain alleged incident involving a flying rodent, however, would decimate ZIT's numbers at the midpoint of the decade, as several members were denied parole. ZIT began an ambiguous period as talented young drummers would come and go, seeming to leave malnourished. 1997 would part the clouds for ZIT as a knight from the ZIT of old would take the reigns of the battle-worn horse that ZIT had become. Once again, ZIT would know the glories of raiding dorms and dining halls, practicing 'till midnight, and then ..."unwinding" 'till dawn. The noble knight, however, would soon follow his calling to lands elsewhere, leaving ZIT asking the question, "Who was that inebriated man?"

A questionable haze lingered over ZIT throughout the spring and summer. No one knew whether ZIT would live or die. Late in the summer, a man from another planet landed among the ranks, vowing to take ZIT to new, cosmic levels. Thus began the renaissance in ZIT's somewhat tarnished history. A new breed of corps-influenced drummers would emerge in the ranks, proving that even legitimacy could exist harmoniously with chaos.

Currently, ZIT is a powerhouse within its environment, with influences stretching across the land. ZIT remains as mischievous as ever, with a greater emphasis on dynamic musicality. While ZIT metamorphasizes frequently, its wild internal spirit will remain for generations of marching drummers to come.